In 2008, Crawford Strategies and associates managed the media relations and messaging for the state-wide campaign to defeat Question 1, the ballot initiative to eliminate the state income tax. With the Massachusetts income tax providing over 40% of the state’s budget, Question 1 would have devastated towns, services, and schools all over the Commonwealth in an already turbulent economy.
Crawford Strategies handled both local and national media for Question 1, getting features placed in the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, and USA Today. Crawford Strategies helped ensure Question 1 gained the editorial support of Massachusetts’ major newspapers, including The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, and The Quincy-Patriot Ledger. Not a single Massachusetts newspaper endorsed Question 1.
On November 4, 2008, Question 1 was defeated in an unprecedented victory. With 70% of the popular vote, Question 1 was unanimously voted down by every single town in the Commonweath of Massachusetts.